Inside Fr John writes about HIGH CROSSES in Ireland AMONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF CHRIST CHURCH ESSENDON JULY 2012 Vicar: Fr John Mathes Telephone: 0417 407 768 or 9379 2770 DEAR PARISHIONERS, CONFIRMATION I am planning to run confirmation classes starting in early July. If you would like to be confirmed or know of others who are interested — please see me as soon as possible... ENVELOPES New envelopes for the next 12 months are available in the Narthex of our Church. Can I encourage all to take envelopes and use them. There are no numbers of identification on the envelopes because we want your contribution to be between you and God. It is your free will gift. There are dates on each envelope so that you can contribute weekly whether you come or not and to bring all your envelopes when you do come. By giving weekly you help us greatly in our budgeting. ARCHDEACON OF ESSENDON RESIGNS Randall Nolan who has been the Archdeacon of Essendon for the past 12 months has resigned and is returning to Queensland to take up a parish there. We wait on a new appointment by the Archbishop. NEW DEAN OF THE CATHEDRAL The Reverend Dr Andreas Loewe, the Senior Chaplain of Trinity College at the University of Melbourne, is to be the new Dean of St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Melbourne. Dr Loewe, 39, succeeds Bishop Mark Burton, who resigned earlier this year. The second youngest dean in the 165-year history of the Diocese of Melbourne, he will be installed as Dean by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, in St Paul’s on a date to be announced. Andreas Loewe was born in Munich, Germany, and grew up in the historic German university city of Heidelberg. He was educated in the UK and is a permanent resident in Australia. He is married to Dr Katherine Firth, an Academic Skills Adviser at the University of Melbourne, a visiting research fellow at Trinity College and an Examining Chaplain for the Diocese of Melbourne. Dr Firth’s parents, Len and Jill, are both priests in Melbourne. The Lord be with you... Your Vicar Fr John. REACH OUT 2 JULY 2012 High Crosses exist in Celtic parts of both Britain and Ireland. The distinctive ringed crosses have become a symbol of Irish Christianity. Some were probably used as meeting points for religious ceremonies and others were used to mark boundaries. The earliest crosses in Ireland were made of wood and metal and probably much smaller than the great stone monuments we see today. The High Crosses associated with medieval monasteries were carved between the 8th and 12 centuries. Early crosses bore only geometric motifs, but in the 9th century a new style emerged when sculptured scenes from the bible were introduced. Referred to as ‘sermons in stone’ these later crosses were used by monks to educate the masses. On a cold, wet day, whilst in Ireland Fr John recently Carolyn and I drove to Monasterboice. Founded in the 5th century by an obscure disciple of Patrick called St Buite, this is an interesting site. The ruins of the medieval monastery are enclosed within a graveyard in a lovely secluded spot not all that far from the Hill of Tara and Newgrange. The ruins of the 5th century monastery no longer exists. The site does include a roofless round tower and two churches but its greatest treasures are its 10th century High Crosses. Muiredach’s High Cross (see cover of Reach out) is one of the finest of its kind in Ireland and its sculptured biblical scenes are still remarkably fresh. They depict the life of Christ on the west face, while the east face has old testament scenes. The west cross or tall cross is one of the largest in Ireland. The carvings have not lasted as well as Muiredach’s High Cross, but you can still see scenes from the death of Christ. The West Cross or tall Cross at Monasterboice REACH OUT 3 JULY 2012 Roublev’s Icon portrays the three angels invited to the table under the oak of Mamre by Abraham. It is a scene of hospitality The three persons: their features are identical. It as if it were the same person shown three times. It is one and the same figure shown three times in different positions. The first angel is the first person of the Trinity - God the Father; the second, middle angel is God the Son; the third angel is God the Holy Spirit. Behind the first angel is the abode of Abraham. The house reminds us that “in many father’s house are many rooms.” God the Creator, the Father seems to Fr John on Trinity Sunday spoke on wear a kind of fabric that changes with the Roublev’s Icon of the Trinity. He also light, that seems transparent, that cannot be described or confined in words. And lead a prayer reflection on the Icon this is how it should be. No-one has seen and its message at a recent quiet day the Father, but the vision of him fills the as part of the Christ Church universe. Spirituality Centre. Below is part of The second angel has above his head the what he said about the Icon. branches of an oak tree. The tree reminders us of the tree of life that was Andrei Roublev was born around 1370 standing in Eden, and of the cross. and he died in 1430, and is buried where God the Son, has a thick heavy garment he worked and lived at Savior-Andronikov of the reddish-brown of earth and a cloak Monastery in Moscow. of the blue of heaven. In his person he It is thought that Andrei Roublev was unites heaven and earth, the two natures from the Moscow and that his family may are present in him. have been artisans, as his name comes from the word ‘rubel’ which is a tool for processing leather Legend describes him as a shy, calm person whose focus was on the divine service, meditation and icon painting. For Roublev, the meeting of Abraham with the three angels reveals God, and the plan of salvation. REACH OUT 4 JULY 2012 The angel on the right is the third Person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit. Behind him is the rock Moses touched to gain the IS GOD water of life. God the Holy Spirit. TAPPING YOU The Holy Spirit has a garment of the clear blue of the sky, wrapped over with a robe ON THE of a fragile green. So the Spirit of creation SHOULDER? moves in sky and water, breathes in heaven and earth. All living things owe their freshness to his touch. Do you have a dream or conviction about All three angels have staffs in their hand serving God and his Church? as a symbol of their divine power Do you feel called to spend your life ministering to God’s people? All three angels are blessing the chalice, Would you like to share in the work of symbolizes the sacrament of the making the Word of God fully known? Eucharist.. In the icon there is an INVITATION to join them. NETWORK 1:28 is located at the Anglican Centre of the Diocese of Melbourne and has been established to help people discern a potential vocation in the Church The Anglican Church has a process for people to explore their vocation including a “Year of Discernment”, selection conferences and a variety of academic options to prepare people for ordination or for other ministries in the life of the Church including Chaplaincies. Feel free to talk to Fr John who can also point you in the right direction and give you more information. More information can also be found on the Melbourne Diocese Web site: www.melbourne.anglican.com.au and follow the links to Network 1:28 REACH OUT 5 JULY 2012 In June, Fr John cooked a roast for 28 ladies of the Church. The potatoes and meat were cooked beautifully and the meal was delicious. Carolyn organised a pavlova desert. Fr John & Carolyn showed photos and video of their recent trip to Europe. It was an enjoyable night On 31st July, Fr John will be cooking a roast for the men of the Church REACH OUT 6 JULY 2012 FJ If you could change some thing what would it be? Barbara: I would like people to be kind to each other FJ Favourite holiday destination? Barbara: England and Eastern Europe (Poland especially) FJ Favourite colour? Barbara: Purple FJ Favourite food? Barbara: Roast Vegetables (not meat) BARBARA is an active parishioner FJ AFL Football Team involved in the Op Shop, Craft Group and Barbara: Essendon has been on Vestry and a Warden. Fr John recently asked her 10 questions... FJ What is one thing you want to do before you die? Barbara See the Hermitage in St Petersburg plus Lindisfarne FJ Where were you born? Island Barbara: Manchester, England FJ Past and present involvement at Christ FJ Where do you live? Church? Barbara Strathmore Barbara: Craft Group, Op Shop (President, Secretary & Treasurer) FJ Career in life? Ex Vestry, Warden, & Barbara: Teaching and became a Treasurer Principal FJ Thank you Barbara... REACH OUT 7 JULY 2012 disciples were refused the hospitality of a Samaritan village, and James and John proposed to call down fire from heaven on the offenders. On another occasion, they asked Jesus for a special place of honour in the Kingdom, and were told that the place of honour is the place of suffering.